Non-polluting smoking device

ABSTRACT

A non-polluting smoking device through which smoke is first inhaled and then exhaled, the device containing a filter or series of filters for filtering harmful toxins and unpleasant odors, thereby preventing same from being emitted into the air.

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

Applicant claims priority based on provisional patent application Ser.No. 60/895,857 filed Mar. 20, 2007, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to smoking devices, and more particularly to anonpolluting smoking device which prevents harmful toxins and unpleasantodors contained in smoke from being emitted into the air.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Smoking is the activity of burning a substance, such as tobacco, in apipe or by other means, and inhaling or tasting the vapor. The practicedeveloped independently in different parts of the world and has beenused as a means to ingest a variety of substances.

A smoking pipe is a device used for smoking a substance such as tobacco.A smoking pipe typically consists of a small chamber (the bowl) forcombustion of the smoking substance and a stem that ends in amouthpiece.

Pipes have been fashioned of an assortment of materials including brier,clay, ceramic, corncob, glass, meerschaum, metal, porcelain, stone,wood, and various combinations thereof. Some pipes are designed withspecial mechanics or functions, such as the different forms of waterpipes. Others are designed with the demands of the smoking substance inmind, such as the different varieties tobacco. Pipes also vary across awide spectrum of cost and complexity, from hookahs made with hand-blownglass and fitted with precious metals to the pipes of un-glazed claythat were popular in Europe and the Americas for centuries.

In recent years the practice of smoking has come under attack bygovernment and private interest groups concerned about health andenvironmental problems associated with smoking. Efforts by such groupshave been building over the past several decades to limit and otherwiseban the practice of smoking, particularly in public places. One of theprimary complaints/concerns associated with smoking is that the smoke oftobacco and other substances contains harmful toxins. Further, manypeople consider the smell of smoke to be noxious and unpleasant. Thepresent invention is designed to eliminate harmful toxins and unpleasantodors resulting from smoking.

A first embodiment of the invention comprises a pipe. A first pipe piecehas a bowl at one end in which a smoking substance is placed and amouthpiece through which smoke can be inhaled at the other end, with ahollow passageway extending between the bowl and the mouthpiece so as toconnect same. A second pipe piece is perpendicularly joined to the firstpipe piece, with a filter or series of filters disposed therein. A userof the pipe first inhales smoke through the mouthpiece. The smoke isthen exhaled through the mouthpiece. A check valve positioned betweenthe bowl and the mouthpiece prevents the exhaled smoke from flowing backthrough the bowl. A second check valve positioned between the first pipepiece and the second pipe piece directs exhaled smoke through the filteror series of filters in the second pipe piece while preventing air fromentering the mouthpiece therethrough. As the exhaled smoke passesthrough the filter or series of filters, harmful toxins and unpleasantodors are eliminated therefrom. The pipe is designed so that thefilter(s) can be removed and replaced.

A second embodiment of the invention comprises a pipe with a bowl at oneend in which a smoking substance is placed and a stem or shankterminating in a mouthpiece through which smoke can be inhaled. Runningthrough the stem from the bowl to the mouthpiece is a first hollowconduit through which smoke is inhaled. A second hollow conduit with afilter or series of filters disposed therein runs from the mouthpiece,parallel to the first hollow conduit, and terminates at an openingpositioned between the mouthpiece and the bowl.

A user of the pipe first inhales smoke through the mouthpiece. The smokeis then exhaled through the mouthpiece. A check valve positioned withinthe first hollow conduit prevents the exhaled smoke from flowing backthrough the bowl. A second check valve positioned within the secondhollow conduit directs exhaled smoke through the filter or series offilters disposed therein. As the exhaled smoke passes through the filteror series of filters, harmful toxins and unpleasant odors are eliminatedtherefrom. The pipe can be designed so that the filter(s) can be removedarid replaced.

A third embodiment of the invention comprises a holder designed toreceive a cigarette or cigar. Running from the end which receives thecigarette or cigar to an opposite terminal end, which is the inhalingend, is a first hollow conduit through which smoke is inhaled. A secondhollow conduit with a filter or series of filters disposed therein runsfrom the inhaling end, parallel to the first hollow conduit, andterminates at an opening positioned between the inhaling end and thereceiving end.

A user of the device first inhales smoke through the mouthpiece. Thesmoke is then exhaled through the mouthpiece. A check valve positionedwithin the first hollow conduit prevents the exhaled smoke from flowingback through the cigarette or cigar. A second check valve positionedwithin the second hollow conduit directs exhaled smoke through thefilter or series of filters disposed therein. As the exhaled smokepasses through the filter or series of filters, harmful toxins andunpleasant odors are eliminated therefrom. The device can be designed sothat the filter(s) can be removed and replaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had byreference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connectionwith the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a plan view of a first embodiment of the inventiondirectionally illustrating an air flow;

FIG. 3B is a plan view of a first embodiment of the inventiondirectionally illustrating an opposite air flow;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, a firstembodiment of the invention comprising a pipe 1 is shown. A first pipepiece 2, constructed of metal, glass, ceramic, or other such materialswhich are well known to those having skill in the art, has a bowl 3 atone end in which a smoking substance is placed. The bowl 3 and the firstpipe piece 2 can be unitary, or, alternatively, separate pieces capableof engaging one another by screwing them together or by other suchmeans. The bowl 3 can be constructed of wood, metal, glass, ceramic, orother such materials which are well known to those having skill in theart.

Additionally, the bowl 3 may be fitted with a cap 4. The cap 4 can be a“smokeless” type cap so as to eliminate or limit smoke from escaping thebowl 3. The cap 4 also functions to prevent the spilling or loss of asmoking material placed in the bowl 3. A hole 5 is disposed within thecap 4 so as to facilitate an air flow and to allow the smoking substanceto be ignited. The cap 4 screws on or otherwise connects to the bowl 3and can likewise be constructed of metal, glass, ceramic, or other suchmaterials which are well known to those having skill in the art.

The terminal end comprising the bowl 3 of the pipe piece 1 can have ahole disposed therein so as to allow for continuous inhalation upon thecovering of same. At the end opposite the bowl 3, the pipe piece 1terminates in an open mouthpiece 6 through which smoke can be inhaled.The mouthpiece 6 can be constructed of metal, glass, ceramic, or othersuch materials which are well known to those having skill in the art.

Between the bowl 3 and the mouthpiece 6 the first pipe piece 2 ischaracterized by a hollow chamber 7 so as to allow smoke to flow fromthe bowl 3 to the mouthpiece 6. A second pipe piece 8 is perpendicularlyjoined to the first pipe niece 2. The second pipe piece 8 can beremovably joined to the first pipe piece 1, such as by a screw or othersuch means, or can be permanently joined to the pipe piece 1. The secondpipe piece 8 functions as a filter housing with a hole disposed in theend opposite the end joined to the first pipe piece 2 so as to allowfiltered smoke to flow out of the pipe 1. In the embodiment shown, thesecond pipe piece 8 is a reproduction of a portion of the hollow chamber7/mouthpiece 6 of the first pipe piece 2.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a series of filters 9 is shown disposed withinthe second pipe piece 8. A first filter 10 can be comprised of charcoal.A second filter 11 can be comprised of a deodorizing cotton. Theordering and spacing of the series of filters 9 can be altered accordingto specific filtering needs. It is envisioned that other filters/seriesof filters can be utilized depending on varying filtering needs. Thecomposition of such filters will be known to those having skill in theart.

A user of the pipe first inhales smoke through the mouthpiece 6. Asshown in FIG. 2, a check valve 12 is positioned between the bowl 3 andthe mouthpiece 6 so as to prevent exhaled smoke from flowing backthrough the bowl 3. The check valve can be a swinging or trap door typecheck valve as shown in FIG. 2, or an alternate type check valve. In theembodiment shown, the check valve 12 is positioned in proximity to thebowl 3, however, the check valve 12 can be positioned at any pointbetween the mouthpiece 6 and the bowl 3.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, operation of the check valve 12 isillustrated. As indicated by the arrows, when a user inhales through themouthpiece 6, air will flow through the bowl 3, into the first pipepiece 2, and through the mouthpiece 6 thereof. Inhalation exerts a forceon the check valve 12 so as to cause the check valve 12 to open,allowing smoke to be drawn through the mouthpiece 6. The check valve 12is unidirectional in that it will only open towards the mouthpiece 6upon inhalation. In this manner, exhaled smoke is prevented from flowingback through the bowl 3.

Smoke is then exhaled through the mouthpiece 6. Again referring to FIG.2, a second check valve 13 is positioned between the first pipe piece 2and the second pipe piece 8 so as to allow the exhaled smoke to flowthrough the second pipe piece 8 and direct the exhaled smoke through thefilter or series of filters 9. The check valve 13 can be a swinging ortrap door type check valve as shown in FIG. 2, or an alternate typecheck valve. In the embodiment shown, the check valve 13 is positionedin proximity to the joint between the first pipe piece 2 and the secondpipe piece 8, however, the check valve 13 can be positioned at any pointbetween the joint and the filter or series of filters 9.

As exhaled smoke passes through the filter or series of filters 9,harmful toxins and unpleasant odors are eliminated therefrom. The filteror series of filters 9 can be removed and replaced. This can beaccomplished by detaching the second pipe piece 8 from the first pipepiece 2 or by detaching a terminal portion 14, which can be detachedfrom the second pipe piece 8 by a screw or other such means, so as toallow removal and replacement of the filter or series of filters 9.Filtered smoke then exits the second pipe piece 8 through an opening inthe terminal portion 14 thereof.

The second pipe piece 8 can also be detached from the first pipe piece 2and used independently, such as with other conventional pipes. In thismanner a user would inhale from a separate pipe and then exhale throughthe second pipe piece 8 so as to accomplish the desired filtering.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, operation of the check valve 13 isillustrated. As indicated by the arrows, when a user exhales through themouthpiece 6, smoke will flow through the second pipe piece 8 and thefilter or series of filters 9 disposed therein. Exhalation exerts aforce on the check valve 13 so as to cause the check valve 13 to open,allowing smoke to be pushed through the filter or series of filters 9.The check valve 13 is unidirectional in that it will only open towardsthe filters or series of filters 9. In this manner, exhaled smoke isprevented from flowing back through the bowl 3, and likewise, air isprevented from being drawn through the second pipe piece 8 uponinhalation.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the invention is showncomprising a pipe 15 with a bowl 16 at one end in which a smokingsubstance is placed and a stem 17 terminating in a mouthpiece throughwhich smoke can be inhaled. Running through the stem 17 from the bowl 16to the mouthpiece is a first hollow conduit 18 through which smoke isinhaled. A second hollow conduit 19 with a filter or series of filters20 disposed therein runs from the mouthpiece, parallel to the firsthollow conduit 18, and terminates at an opening 21 positioned betweenthe mouthpiece and the bowl 16.

A series of filters 20 is shown disposed within the second hollowconduit 19. A first filter can be comprised of charcoal. A second filtercan be comprised of a deodorizing cotton. The ordering and spacing ofthe series of filters 20 can be altered according to specific Filteringneeds. It is envisioned that other filters/series of filters can beutilized depending on varying filtering needs. The composition of suchfilters will be known to those having skill in the art.

A user of the pipe 15 first inhales smoke through the mouthpiece. Acheck valve 22 is positioned within the first hollow conduit 18 betweenthe bowl 16 and the mouthpiece so as to prevent exhaled smoke fromflowing back through the bowl 16. The check valve can be a swinging ortrap door type check valve as shown in FIG. 4, or an alternate typecheck valve. In the embodiment shown, the check valve 22 is positionedat a distance from the bowl 16, however, the check valve 22 can bepositioned at any point between the mouthpiece and the bowl 16.

As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4, when a user inhales through themouthpiece, air will flow through the bowl 16, into the first hollowconduit 18, and through the mouthpiece portion thereof. Inhalationexerts a force on the check valve 22 so as to cause the check valve 22to open, allowing smoke to be drawn through the mouthpiece portion ofthe stem 17. The check valve 22 is unidirectional in that it will onlyopen towards the mouthpiece upon inhalation. In this manner, exhaledsmoke is prevented from flowing back through the bowl 16.

Smoke is then exhaled through the mouthpiece. A second check valve 23 ispositioned within the second hollow conduit 19 between the bowl 16 andthe mouthpiece so as to allow exhaled smoke to flow through the secondhollow conduit 19 and direct the exhaled smoke through the filter orseries of filters 20. The check valve 23 can be a swinging or trap doortype check valve as shown in FIG. 4, or an alternate type check valve.In the embodiment shown, the check valve 23 is positioned in proximityto the filter or series of filters 20, however, the check valve 23 canbe positioned at any point between the mouthpiece and the filter orseries of filters 20.

As exhaled smoke passes through the filter or series of filters 20,harmful toxins and unpleasant odors are eliminated therefrom. It is alsoenvisioned that the pipe 15 can be designed so as to allow the filter orseries of filters 20 to be removed and replaced. This can beaccomplished by fitting a joint within the stem 17 so as to allow accessto the filters or series of filters 20. Filtered smoke then exits thesecond hollow conduit 19 through the opening 21.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a third embodiment of the invention is showncomprising a holder 24 for receiving a cigarette or cigar. Running froma receiving end 25 of the holder 24 to an opposite terminal end, whichis the inhaling end, or mouthpiece, is a first hollow conduit 26 throughwhich smoke is inhaled. A second hollow conduit 27 with a filter orseries of filters 28 disposed therein runs from the inhaling end,parallel to the first hollow conduit 26, and terminates a an opening 29positioned between the inhaling end and the receiving end 25.

A series of filters 28 is shown disposed within the second hollowconduit 27. A first filter can be comprised of charcoal. A second filtercan be comprised of a deodorizing cotton. The ordering and spacing ofthe series of filters 28 can be altered according to specific filteringneeds. It is envisioned that other filters/series of filters can beutilized depending on varying filtering needs. The composition of suchfilters will be known to those having skill in the art.

A user of the holder 24 first inhales smoke through the mouthpiece. Acheck valve 30 is positioned within the first hollow conduit 26 betweenthe receiving end 25 and the mouthpiece so as to prevent exhaled smokefrom flowing back through the cigarette or cigar. The check valve 30 canbe a swinging or trap door type check valve as shown in FIG. 5, or analternate type check valve. In the embodiment shown, the check valve 30is positioned at a distance from the receiving end 25, however, thecheck valve 30 can be positioned at any point between the mouthpiece andthe receiving end 25.

As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5, when a user inhales through themouthpiece, air will flow through the cigarette or cigar, into the firsthollow conduit 26, and through the mouthpiece. Inhalation exerts a forceon the check valve 30 so as to cause the check valve 30 to open,allowing smoke to be drawn through the mouthpiece portion of the holder24. The check valve 30 is unidirectional in that it will only opentowards the mouthpiece upon inhalation. In this manner, exhaled smoke isprevented from flowing back through the cigarette or cigar.

Smoke is then exhaled through the mouthpiece. A second check valve 31 ispositioned within the second hollow conduit 27 between the receiving end25 and the mouthpiece so as to allow exhaled smoke to flow through thesecond hollow conduit 31 and direct the exhaled smoke through the filteror series of filters 28. The check valve 31 can be a swinging or trapdoor type check valve as shown in FIG. 5, or an alternate type checkvalve. In the embodiment shown, the check valve 31 is positioned inproximity to the filter or series of filters 28, however, the checkvalve 31 can be positioned at any point between the mouthpiece and thefilter or series of filters 28.

As exhaled smoke passes through the filter or series of filters 28,harmful toxins and unpleasant odors are eliminated therefrom. It is alsoenvisioned that the holder 24 can be designed so as to allow the filteror series of filters 28 to be removed and replaced. This can beaccomplished by fitting a joint within the holder 24 so as to allowaccess to the filters or series of filters 28. Filtered smoke then exitsthe second hollow conduit 27 through the opening 29.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated inthe accompanying Drawings and described n the foregoing Summary andDetailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerousrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elementswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

1. A smoking device comprising: a bowl comprising a hollow interior forreceiving smoking materials therein; a stem connected to and extendingfrom the bowl for engagement with the mouth of a smoker to support thebowl therefrom; a first passageway extending from the hollow interior ofthe bowl through the stem to the distal end thereof; means mounted inthe first passageway for permitting smoke to pass from the hollowinterior of the bowl through the first passageway and through the distalend of the stem into the mouth of a smoker while simultaneouslypreventing the flow of air from the distal end of the stem through thefirst passageway into the hollow interior of the bowl; a secondpassageway extending from the distal end of the stem through the stem toan outlet located between the distal end of the stem and the bowl; andmeans mounted in the second passageway for preventing the flow of airthrough the second passageway from the outlet to the distal end of thestem while permitting the flow of smoke through the second passagewayfrom the distal end of the stem to the outlet.
 2. A smoking device ofclaim 1 further comprising a conduit removably joined at an outlet ofthe stem between the distal end of the stem and the means founted in thefirst passageway for permitting for filtering out harmful toxins andunpleasant odors from the flow of air; and a third passageway extendingfrom an outlet of the stem through the conduit to the distal endthereof.
 3. A smoking device of claim 2 further comprising at least onefilter disposed within the third passageway for removing harmful toxinsand unpleasant odors from the flow of air moving through the thirdpassageway.
 4. A smoking device of claim 3 wherein at least one filteris comprised of charcoal.
 5. A smoking device wherein at least onefilter is comprised of deodorized cotton.
 6. A smoking device of claim 3further comprising a means for removing and replacing at least onefilter located in the third passageway.
 7. A smoking device of claim 1further comprising at least one filter disposed in the second passagewayfor removing harmful toxins and unpleasant odors from the flow of airmoving through the second passageway.
 8. A smoking device of claim 7wherein at least one filter is comprised of charcoal.
 9. A smokingdevice of claim 7 wherein at least one filter is comprised of deodorizedcotton.
 10. A smoking device of claim 7 further comprising a means forremoving and replacing at least one filter located in the secondpassageway.
 11. A smoking device comprising: a tube comprising a hollowinterior for receiving smoking articles therein selected from the groupconsisting of cigarettes and cigars; a stem connected to and extendingfrom the tube for engagement with the mouth of a smoker to support thetube therefrom; a first passageway extending from the hollow interior ofthe tube through the stem to the distal end thereof; means mounted inthe first passageway for permitting smoke to pass from the hollowinterior of the tube through the first passageway and through the distalend of the stem into the mouth of a smoker while simultaneouslypreventing the flow of air from the distal end of the stem through thefirst passageway into the hollow interior of the tube; a secondpassageway extending from the distal end of the stem through the stem toan outlet located between the distal end of the stem and the tube; andmeans mounted in the second passageway for preventing the flow of airthrough the second passageway from the outlet to the distal end of thestem while permitting the flow of smoke through the second passagewayfrom the distal end of the stem to the outlet.
 12. A smoking device ofclaim 11 further comprising at least one filter disposed within thesecond passageway for removing harmful toxins and unpleasant odors fromthe flow of air moving through the second passageway.
 13. A smokingdevice of claim 12 wherein at least one filter is comprised of charcoal.14. A smoking device of claim 12 wherein at least one filter iscomprised of deodorized cotton.
 15. A smoking device of claim 12 furthercomprising a means for removing and replacing at least one filterlocated in the second passageway.